Inspire to Sign: The Evolution of American Sign Language at Norwich

American Sign Language has been taught at Norwich as one of the many modern languages offered ever since Jim Gricci’s arrival in 2019. This year, the Department of Global Humanities, with the help of Debra Aronson, is exploring creating an ASL minor and program. If, and when, created, this program will be the first ASL program at the college level in the state of Vermont! Explore the content below to learn more about ASL at Norwich.

Surayah Pierce, Copy-editor

April 10, 2024

ASL

A – Surayah Pierce, S – Caitlyn George, L – L Lakhani

Conversation with Professor Jim Gricci

Please enjoy the interview with Professor Jim Gricci and Surayah Pierce. Professor Gricci is Norwich University’s first American Sign Language professor. He has been teaching at Norwich for five years, and thanks to him, an ASL program is evolving on campus. Professor Gricci is retiring at the end of the 2024 academic year.

Interview with Professor Debra Aronson

Please enjoy the video from Professor Debra Aronson about her connection to ASL and her ideas for sharing the language with Norwich students. This is Professor Aronson’s first year teaching ASL at Norwich, and she is carrying on Professor Gricci’s amazing legacy by spearheading the future of Norwich’s American Sign Language program.

A Good Word with Dean Proctor

Please enjoy following conversation with Dean Proctor. He is a senior at Norwich and is enrolled in ASL122. A member of the Norwich Christian Fellowship and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Dean decided to learn ASL to communicate and spread the word of gospel. In this video, he uses the skills he’s acquired in ASL121 and 122 to share the gospel!

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